Isaiah 54:17

KJV

No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue [that] shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This [is] the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness [is] of me, saith the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

No weapon {H3627} that is formed {H3335} against thee shall prosper {H6743}; and every tongue {H3956} that shall rise {H6965} against thee in judgment {H4941} thou shalt condemn {H7561}. This is the heritage {H5159} of the servants {H5650} of the LORD {H3068}, and their righteousness {H6666} is of me, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

No weapon made will prevail against you. In court you will refute every accusation. The servants of ADONAI inherit all this; the reward for their righteousness is from me," says ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD.

American Standard Version

No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of Jehovah, and their righteousness which is of me, saith Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 54:17 stands as a profound and unwavering declaration of divine protection, vindication, and security for God's covenant people. Within a sweeping prophecy of restoration and comfort, this verse assures the faithful that no instrument of harm or word of accusation formed against them will ultimately succeed in its destructive intent. It powerfully proclaims that the ability to overcome opposition and to stand righteous is not derived from human strength or merit, but is a guaranteed inheritance and a divinely bestowed righteousness from the Lord Himself, underscoring His unwavering faithfulness and sovereign care for His beloved servants.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 54 is nestled within the "Book of Comfort" (chapters 40-66) of Isaiah, a section that dramatically shifts from prophecies of judgment and exile to messages of profound hope, restoration, and future glory for Israel. Specifically, chapter 54 directly follows the pivotal prophecy of the Suffering Servant in [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant"), implying that the abundant blessings, boundless expansion, and enduring peace promised in chapter 54 are a direct result of the Messiah's redemptive work. The chapter personifies Jerusalem as a barren, desolate woman, now promised a multitude of children, limitless growth, and an unbreakable covenant of peace, signifying God's enduring love despite past unfaithfulness. Verse 17 serves as the triumphant capstone to a series of divine assurances regarding the city's future security and divine protection from all forms of attack, reinforcing the certainty of God's covenant promises.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecies in Isaiah 40-66 are primarily addressed to the Jewish people either experiencing the Babylonian exile or facing its imminent prospect. They were a people who had endured the devastating consequences of their sin, leading to military defeat, the destruction of their temple, and displacement from their homeland. In this ancient Near Eastern context, "weapons" were the literal instruments of conquest, subjugation, and destruction in warfare, while the "tongue rising in judgment" referred to legal accusations, slander, and public condemnation, which were potent tools for social, political, and personal ruin. The promise in Isaiah 54:17, therefore, directly addresses the deepest fears and vulnerabilities of a people who have been militarily defeated, culturally scorned, and spiritually chastened, offering a divine counter-promise of invincibility and ultimate vindication that transcends their immediate, dire circumstances.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes found throughout Isaiah and the broader prophetic literature. It highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Protection**, asserting God's ultimate control over all circumstances and His active, unwavering defense of His chosen ones, a theme beautifully echoed in passages like [Psalm 121:7-8](/psalm/121-7 "Psalm 121:7-8 - The Lord Will Protect You Will Keep You From All Harm"). It emphasizes **Vindication and Justice**, promising that God will not only clear the name of His servants but also silence their accusers, reflecting God's character as a righteous judge who defends the innocent and brings truth to light, as seen in [Psalm 37:6](/psalm/37-6 "Psalm 37:6 - He Will Make Your Righteousness Shine"). Most profoundly, it underscores the theme of **Righteousness as a Divine Gift**, revealing that the very foundation of God's people's ability to stand firm and prevail is not from their own merit or inherent goodness, but is imputed by God Himself, a foundational concept for understanding salvation and standing before a holy God, which is more fully developed in the New Testament (e.g., [Romans 3:21-24](/romans/3-21 "Romans 3:21-24 - Righteousness Through Faith")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Weapon (Hebrew, _kᵉlîy'_):** From H3627, meaning "something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)." This term is remarkably broad, encompassing any tool, instrument, or device. In the context of "formed against thee," it specifically refers to military implements or any contrivance designed for harm, destruction, or opposition. The promise "no weapon... shall prosper" thus covers every conceivable tool, scheme, or attack devised against God's people, whether physical, spiritual, or relational, ensuring their ultimate failure.
* **Prosper (Hebrew, _tsâlach'_):** From H6743, a primitive root meaning "to push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive); break out, come (mightily), go over, be good, be meet, be profitable, (cause to, effect, make to, send) prosper(-ity, -ous, -ously)." When applied to weapons, "prosper" signifies achieving its intended destructive purpose or succeeding in its aim. Therefore, the divine declaration signifies that no weapon will ever achieve its design to inflict lasting damage, overthrow, or achieve victory over God's protected ones; it will utterly fail in its ultimate objective.
* **Righteousness (Hebrew, _tsᵉdâqâh'_):** From H6666, meaning "rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)." This comprehensive term encompasses both moral uprightness and the state of being declared just, vindicated, or in right standing. The profound statement "their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD" reveals that the very foundation of their security, their ability to condemn accusations, and their standing before God is not self-generated or earned by human effort, but is a divine impartation—a gracious gift from God Himself, making their security absolutely unassailable.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper":** This opening clause is a sweeping and absolute declaration of invincibility for God's people. The word "formed" (from H3335, _yâtsar'_, "to mould into a form; especially as a potter") suggests an intentional, deliberate, and even artful creation of harm or opposition. Whether it be a physical weapon of war, a strategic plan of attack, or a spiritual assault, the promise is that none of these will achieve their intended destructive outcome. They will not "prosper" or succeed in their design to overthrow, destroy, or ultimately defeat God's people.
* **"and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn.":** This clause shifts focus to verbal, legal, and reputational assaults. A "tongue" (from H3956, _lâshôwn'_) represents speech, accusation, slander, or any form of legal challenge. To "rise against thee in judgment" implies formal accusation, malicious condemnation, or an attempt to legally or socially discredit. The powerful promise is that God's people will "condemn" (from H7561, _râsha'_, "to be (causatively, do or declare) wrong; by implication, to disturb, violate") such accusations, meaning they will be proven false, discredited, rendered ineffective, or ultimately silenced by divine intervention. God Himself guarantees the vindication of His servants against all unjust charges.
* **"This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD,":** This phrase firmly grounds the preceding promises of protection and vindication in a covenantal reality. The security and triumph are not random acts of grace but a guaranteed "heritage" (from H5159, _nachălâh'_, "something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion") for those who are truly "servants of the LORD" (from H5650, _ʻebed'_, "a servant"). It signifies an established, unalienable right and a permanent blessing for those devoted to and faithfully serving Him.
* **"and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.":** This concluding statement provides the ultimate, divine basis for all the promises in the verse. The ability of God's servants to condemn opposing tongues and to receive this heritage does not originate from their own inherent goodness, moral perfection, or strength. Rather, their "righteousness" (from H6666, _tsᵉdâqâh'_) – their right standing, their justification, their vindication – is entirely "of me" (from H3068, _Yᵉhôvâh'_, "the self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah"). This means their righteousness is divinely sourced, graciously bestowed, and eternally secured by God Himself, making their security and victory absolutely unassailable and utterly dependent on Him.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 54:17 is rich with literary devices that amplify its profound and comforting message. **Metaphor** is prominently employed, with "weapon" and "tongue" serving as powerful metaphors for all forms of opposition and verbal assault, respectively. The "weapon" symbolizes any instrument, scheme, or force designed for harm or destruction, while the "tongue" represents slander, false accusation, legal challenge, or any malicious speech. The phrase "tongue that shall rise against thee" utilizes **Personification**, attributing an active, adversarial role to the abstract concept of speech. The sweeping nature of "No weapon" and "every tongue" employs **Hyperbole** to emphasize the totality and absolute certainty of God's protection – no single type of attack, nor any multitude of attacks, can ultimately succeed. Finally, the verse culminates with a powerful **Divine Declaration**, "saith the LORD," which functions as an authoritative seal on the promise, lending it ultimate weight, infallibility, and unchangeable truth, rooted in the very character and sovereign authority of Yahweh Himself.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 54:17 is a cornerstone promise of God's unwavering faithfulness and sovereign protection over His people. Theologically, it asserts God's absolute omnipotence over all human and spiritual opposition, guaranteeing that His purposes for His servants will ultimately prevail. It profoundly speaks to the concept of **divine vindication**, where God Himself actively intervenes to clear the name, uphold the cause, and establish the righteous standing of those who belong to Him. Most significantly, the declaration "their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD" powerfully foreshadows the New Testament revelation of **imputed righteousness**, where humanity's right standing before a holy God is not earned through personal merit or works, but is a gracious gift from God, freely received through faith. This divinely-imparted righteousness is the unshakeable foundation for the believer's security, confidence, and ultimate triumph over all adversity, providing an eternal bulwark against every form of attack.

* [Romans 8:31](/romans/8-31 "Romans 8:31 - God Is For Us")
* [Romans 8:33-34](/romans/8-33-34 "Romans 8:33-34 - Who Shall Bring a Charge Against God's Elect?")
* [Philippians 3:9](/philippians/3-9 "Philippians 3:9 - Righteousness From God By Faith")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 54:17 offers profound comfort and an unshakeable foundation for hope in the life of every believer. In a world fraught with challenges, opposition, unjust accusations, and spiritual warfare, this verse serves as a powerful anchor, reminding us that our ultimate security and vindication rest not on our own strength, cleverness, or ability to defend ourselves, but entirely on the sovereign power and righteous character of God. It calls us to cultivate a deep, abiding trust in God's active defense, knowing that He is meticulously aware of every "weapon formed" and every "tongue rising" against us. This promise empowers us to face adversity with courage, to refrain from retaliating in kind, and to patiently await God's perfect timing for our vindication. Our confidence is rooted in the glorious truth that our righteousness, our very standing before God and our ability to prevail, is a divine gift, making us unassailable in Christ and ensuring that no earthly or spiritual foe can ultimately thwart God's eternal purposes for us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific "weapons" (challenges, anxieties, temptations) or "tongues" (criticisms, slanders, self-condemnation) are currently rising against you, and how does this verse encourage you to respond differently?**
* **How does understanding that your "righteousness is of me, saith the LORD" transform your perspective on your struggles, your identity, and your security in Christ?**
* **In what practical ways can you demonstrate a deeper trust in God's promise of protection and vindication in your daily life, especially when facing opposition?**

### FAQ

**Does "no weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper" mean believers will never experience harm or suffering?**

Answer: No, this verse does not guarantee an absence of suffering, persecution, or even physical harm for believers. Throughout Scripture, faithful servants of God, including prophets, apostles, and even Jesus Himself, faced immense trials, opposition, and suffering. The promise means that no weapon or accusation will ultimately succeed in its *intended purpose* of destroying God's ultimate plan for His people, severing their relationship with Him, or thwarting His eternal purposes for their lives. It speaks to the ultimate triumph and spiritual security of the believer, not immunity from all earthly affliction. Even in suffering, God's purpose for His people will "prosper," leading to spiritual growth, a powerful witness, and ultimately, eternal glory.

**What does it mean for believers to "condemn" every tongue that rises against them in judgment?**

Answer: This phrase does not primarily refer to believers verbally condemning their accusers in their own strength or through human retaliation. Instead, it points to a divine vindication. When a "tongue" rises in "judgment" (from the Hebrew _mishpâṭ'_, referring to a verdict or formal decree), it implies false accusation, slander, or legal condemnation. For believers to "condemn" (from the Hebrew _râsha'_, meaning to declare wrong or guilty) these tongues means that God Himself will ultimately prove the accusations false, discredit the accusers, and establish the innocence or righteous standing of His servants. This vindication may come in various ways: through God's direct intervention, through the clear demonstration of truth over time, or ultimately in the final judgment where all wrongs are righted and God's justice prevails. It is God who empowers His people to stand firm and for their cause to be upheld.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 54:17 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "righteousness" that is "of me, saith the LORD" is perfectly and fully embodied in Christ, who became our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption ([1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ Our Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption")). Through His perfect life of obedience, His atoning death on the cross, and His glorious resurrection, Christ secured for His people a righteousness that is not their own, but is freely imputed to them by God as a gift of grace ([Romans 5:17](/romans/5-17 "Romans 5:17 - Reign in Life Through Christ")). Therefore, when "weapons" were formed against Christ – the cross, the grave, the accusations of men, the power of sin and death – they ultimately did not "prosper." The grave could not hold Him captive ([Acts 2:24](/acts/2-24 "Acts 2:24 - God Raised Him Up")), and the accusations of His enemies were proven false by His triumphant resurrection and ascension. Similarly, every "tongue" that rose against Him in judgment, from the false witnesses at His trial to the mocking crowds, was ultimately condemned by His divine authority and the undeniable truth of His identity as the Son of God ([Matthew 26:63-64](/matthew/26-63-64 "Matthew 26:63-64 - Jesus' Divine Claim and Condemnation")). As believers are spiritually united "in Christ," this heritage of divine protection and divinely-sourced righteousness becomes irrevocably theirs. We stand justified not by our works, but by His finished work on the cross, where He who knew no sin became sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - He Became Sin for Us")). Thus, the promises of Isaiah 54:17 are eternally secured for all who are united with the victorious Lamb of God, who has already overcome the world and its every challenge ([John 16:33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - Jesus Overcomes the World")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Romans 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.

Romans 8:39

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Isaiah 54:15

Behold, they shall surely gather together, [but] not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake.

John 10:28

And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand.

John 10:30

I and [my] Father are one.

Isaiah 50:8

[He is] near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who [is] mine adversary? let him come near to me.

Romans 8:1

¶ [There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.